The Grand Mistletoe Assembly: a Regency Christmas romance anthology by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rogue Press
Published: 2023-09-24T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 2

“Tell me again why my attendance is required tonight?” Captain Nathaniel Davies’s gaze traveled over the heads of the charity ball’s patrons much like he used to observe the officers under his command aboard the HMS Silver. Towering over most men of his acquaintance, his extreme height proved useful at times like these—when he desperately sought escape from the crush of London society.

“Bryony will be here.” Lord Carter Matthews searched the crowd for his aforementioned sister. The Matthews family had accepted Nathaniel into their fold years ago after he rescued their only daughter, Miss Bryony Matthews, from drowning in a neighboring lake. Now it felt like they were more his kin than his own flesh and blood.

Except for her. Lady Bryony Chapman née Miss Bryony Matthews. Unfortunately, he’d never been able to view her as a sister. A mere year younger than him, Bryony had blossomed into a beautiful young woman around the time he began noticing such things—a damn inconvenience when her brother, his best friend, had decided they needed to chase every skirt in London. Nathaniel’s interest lay solely with one particular skirt.

“She attends multiple events, I’m sure. What makes this one so special?” He finally caught sight of her sensuous curves as she lingered near a columned doorway, and he pointed her out to Matthews.

Clearly, Nathaniel wasn’t the only one itching to flee the crowded ballroom. Bryony didn’t look like she was especially enjoying the party. Tension tightened the skin around her mouth and eyes. An aura of indecision hung about her—perhaps debating should she stay or should she go?

“You’ve been away at sea so long, you missed her entire mourning period. This is her first Season out since Lord Chapman’s demise, and while she’s kept busy attending balls and musicals, this one’s different because of the auction. There’s talk about the paintings she put up for sale. Apparently, they’re domestic scenes by Adam Buck …”

Nathaniel’s expression remained blank. “And suddenly, we’re all agog about watercolors? Buck’s talented but not worth an evening of suffering through matchmaking mamas’ effusive efforts to introduce their daughters to me.”

Matthews chuckled, well aware of his esteemed friend’s reputation. Dashing and blessedly unmarried, Captain Davies’s exploits at sea filled the society pages. His daring pursuit of Spanish galleons. His monumental capture of a French ship hauling barrels of the rarest wines. Everyone loved to whisper about the prize ships Nathaniel had ensnared during his time with the Royal Navy, and the wealth it entailed. Mamas and papas alike wanted to snag the bachelor for their family coffers, along with the prestige he would bring to their bloodlines.

“Buck’s not the center of gossip. The subject of the paintings is … Lord Chapman’s mistress, Mrs. Alicia Lott, not my sister, his wife.” Matthews spared a telling glance Nathaniel’s way before greeting Bryony as they finally reached her position at the edge of the ballroom.

“How’s my favorite sister faring this eve?”

“I’m your only sister, dear brother.” The ringlets framing her face shook with a jerk of her chin, though a teasing smile hovered on Bryony’s lips.

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